The North’s Best Christmas Pantos

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It’s officially panto season (‘oh, yes it is!’), so is there any better way to celebrate than by heading along to one of these spell-binding shows? (‘Oh, no there isn’t!)

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Where? Darlington Hippodrome
When? Until 5th January
What? This giant of a panto follows Jack (Britain’s Got Talent winner, George Sampson) as he climbs a magic beanstalk to outwit the evil giant and win the hand of the girl he loves. Helped along the way by Mother Nature (Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas) and his hapless brother Simon (comedian Phil Walker), will Jack ever make it back down to earth? Fee-fi-fo-fabulous. www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
Where? The Alhambra, Bradford
When? Until 26th January
What? You’ll want to book quickly if you want to catch what is probably the fairest panto in all of Yorkshire – otherwise you won’t be able to look yourself in the mirror. Starring The Alhambra’s panto legend Billy Pearce, Steps star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Faye Tozer, and family favourite Paul Chuckle, this fairytale is sure to enchant all ages with cracking comedy, magical musical numbers and jaw-dropping special effects.www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Where? Theatre Royal, Newcastle
When? Until 19th January
What? Join North East panto royalty Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Chris Hayward on a magical adventure to help the beautiful Belle on her quest to unleash the beauty within the Beast – with everything you’ve come to expect from the Theatre Royal’s festive offering (and the fastest-selling panto in the North): spectacular special effects, hilarious comedy and more than a few surprises along the way.www.theatreroyal.co.uk

ALADDIN
Where? Hull New Theatre
When? Until 19th January
What? Hull New Theatre’s festive family treat comes in the form of a high-flying adventure like no other, starring Blue’s Simon Webbe and Benidorm’s Jake Canuso. Aladdin will feature a lamp-load of comedy, jaw-dropping special effects and plenty of boo-and-hiss opportunities the whole family will enjoy, with flying carpets, a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and plenty of festive magic to boot. So book a seat today for the magic carpet ride of a lifetime and brace yourself to enter into A Whole New World.www.hulltheatres.co.uk

PETER PAN
Where? Alnwick Playhouse
When? 17th–25th January
What? If you apply the motto, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, to your festive forays, then there’s only one panto for you this season: the Alnwick Playhouse’s Peter Pan. Taking their lead from JM Barrie’s original story, the Alnwick Theatre Club celebrate their 70th anniversary in style with this festive delight, which sees Wendy and her brothers help the irrepressible Peter Pan rid the magical Neverland of the evil Captain Hook. It never gets old. www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk

CINDERELLA
Where? Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
When? Until 5th January
What? The Lyceum Theatre’s family panto promises to be the belle of the festive ball this year, as they offer up a magical adaptation of Cinderella, chock-full of festive fun and hilarious hijinks. Starring Strictly's Joanne Clifton, Sheffield legend Damian Williams and CBeebies’ Mister Maker himself, Phil Gallagher, you won’t want to slip(per) up and miss this one – it promises to be a glass act. www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk